Radiation attenuation system

ABSTRACT

A radiation attenuation system for use with Computed Tomography procedures and a Computed Tomography having a radiation attenuation system are disclosed. The radiation disclosed attenuation system includes a shield made of a flexible radiation attenuation material and an interface supporting the shield at the Computed Tomography machine. The interface allows the shield to be selectively added to and removed from the Computed Tomography machine. The disclosed Computed Tomography machine includes a gantry defining an opening through which a patient table is at least partially inserted during a Computed Tomography procedure and a housing enclosing the gantry without substantially covering the opening and remaining fixed relative thereto. The housing is at least partially defined by a front panel that is formed of a substrate and a radiation attenuation material. The radiation attenuation material is in the form of a flexible sheet and is fixed relative to the substrate. The radiation attenuation material attenuates radiation that would otherwise pass through the front panel during the Computed Tomography procedure.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 10/999,116, filed Nov. 29, 2004, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,303,334,which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No.10/808,731, filed Mar. 25, 2004, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,099,427, the fulldisclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to a radiation attenuation system. Moreparticularly, the present disclosure relates to a radiation attentionsystem adapted for use with Computed Tomography procedures such asComputed Tomography scanning procedures and Computed Tomographyfluoroscopy procedures. The present disclosure further relates toradiation attenuation system that is intended to reduce radiationexposure to at least one of a patient and medical personnel duringComputed Tomography procedures.

Computed Tomography (CT) procedures are commonly used to obtaincross-sectional images of the patient's body, including images of apatient's brain, lungs, heart, liver, bones, blood vessels, etc. CTprocedures are often used to diagnose different kinds of diseases suchas cancer, to plan radiation treatments and surgeries, and to guidephysicians during biopsies and other invasive procedures.

CT procedures involve the use of CT machines that use x-ray radiation toobtain the cross-sectional images. In conducting a CT procedure, apatient is placed in the CT machine between an x-ray generating sourceand an x-ray detecting sensor. The CT machine delivers controlledamounts of x-ray radiation from the x-ray generating source to theportion of the patient's body being examined. The x-ray detecting sensoris positioned on the other side of the patient and captures the x-rayradiation passing through the body of the patient. The x-ray detectingsensor sends an output signal to a processor representative of theamount of x-ray radiation absorbed by the patient. The processorreceives the output signal from the x-ray detecting sensor and processesthe signal to create the cross-sectional images of the patient on adisplay.

As presently configured, areas in which CT procedures are conducted(i.e. CT areas) expose not only the patient to radiation, but also thephysicians and other medical personnel that may be present during theprocedure. In CT procedures, significant amounts of radiation may bescattered to the patient and to the physician, or other medicalpersonnel in the CT area (i.e. scatter radiation). The likelihood ofhaving radiation scattered to the physician or other medical personnelis increased for CT fluoroscopy guided interventional procedures duringwhich the medical personnel is in the CT area during the scan.

In addition, medical personnel and patients may be exposed to radiationemanating through the body or housing of the CT machine during a CTprocedure. CT machines generally include a housing (i.e., gantry)defining an opening in which a patient is placed during a CT procedure.While the x-ray generating source generally concentrates the emittedx-ray radiation to the area defined by the opening, it is possible forat least some x-ray radiation to pass through the housing of the CTmachine. Radiation passing through the housing of the CT machine may bereceived by the patient and/or the medical personnel present during theCT procedure.

Exposure to radiation may create potential health concerns. Radiationspecialists and government agencies recognize the potential health riskscaused by ionizing radiation and have developed the principle of ALARA(As Low As Reasonably Achievable). The principle of ALARA requires thatradiation levels be reduced to the greatest degree possible taking intoaccount a reasonable cost and physical application.

Accordingly, it would be advantageous to provide a radiation attenuationsystem that may be used during CT procedures to minimize a patient'sexposure to radiation. It would further be advantageous to provide aradiation attenuation system that reduces the amount of radiationexposure for medical personnel working in a CT area. It would also beadvantageous to provide a radiation attenuation system that isrelatively flexible and compliant, and adaptable for use with a varietyof CT machines and CT procedures. It would also be advantageous toprovide a radiation attenuation system that is disposable. It would alsobe advantageous to provide a radiation attenuation system that issterilizible before use. It would also be advantageous to provide aradiation attenuation system that may be coupled to CT devices havingdifferent configurations. It would further be advantageous to provide aradiation attenuation system for protecting medical personnel that issuitable for use with CT fluoroscopy procedures where medical personnelmay need to insert biopsy needles or other instrumentation withouthindrance. It would also be advantageous to provide a radiationattenuation system which provides a relatively high degree of comfort tothe user. It would further be advantageous to provide a radiationattenuation system that is configured to reduce the amount of radiationexposure realized by a patient and/or medical personnel due to radiationemanating from the body or housing of a CT machine. It would further beadvantageous to provide a CT machine having a radiation attenuationsystem configured to minimize the amount of radiation that passesthrough the body or housing of the CT machine and into the CT area. Itwould still further be advantageous to provide a housing for a CTmachine configured to minimize the amount of radiation that passesthrough the substrate or body of the housing into the CT area. It wouldbe desirable to provide for a radiation attenuation system having one ormore of these or other advantageous features.

SUMMARY

An exemplary embodiment relates to a system for the attenuation ofradiation during a Computed Tomography procedure using a ComputedTomography machine having a gantry defining an opening configured toreceive a patient table. The system includes a shield made of a flexibleradiation attenuation material and an interface supporting the shield atthe Computed Tomography machine. The interface allows the shield to beselectively added to and removed from the Computed Tomography machine.

Another exemplary embodiment relates to a method of attenuatingradiation during a Computed Tomography procedure preformed by a ComputedTomography machine having a gantry defining an opening. The methodincludes selectively supporting a flexible radiation attenuationmaterial at least partially in front of the opening defined by thegantry. The flexible radiation attenuation material is selectivelyaddable to and removable from in front of the opening by the medicalpersonnel depending on the Computed Tomography procedure.

Another exemplary embodiment relates a Computed Tomography machine. TheComputed Tomography machine includes a gantry defining an openingthrough which a patient table is at least partially inserted during aComputed Tomography procedure and a housing enclosing the gantry withoutsubstantially covering the opening and remaining fixed relative thereto.The housing is at least partially defined by a front panel that isformed of a substrate and a radiation attenuation material. Theradiation attenuation material is in the form of a flexible sheet and isfixed relative to the substrate. The radiation attenuation materialattenuates radiation that would otherwise pass through the front panelduring the Computed Tomography procedure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a radiation attenuation system forprotecting a patient according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a radiation attenuation system forprotecting at least one of a patient and a medical personnel accordingto an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 3 a is an anterior view of a patient wearing radiation attenuatinggarment according to exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 3 b is a posterior view of a patient wearing radiation attenuatinggarment according to exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a radiation attenuation system accordingto another exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a radiation attenuation system accordingto another exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of another radiation attenuation systemaccording to another exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 7 a is a plan view of a radiation attenuation pad according to anexemplary embodiment.

FIG. 7 b is a plan view of a radiation attenuation pad according to anexemplary embodiment.

FIG. 7 c is a plan view of a radiation attenuation pad according to anexemplary embodiment.

FIG. 7 d is a plan view of a radiation attenuation pad according to anexemplary embodiment.

FIG. 7 e is a plan view of a radiation attenuation pad according to anexemplary embodiment.

FIG. 7 f is a plan view of a radiation attenuation pad according to anexemplary embodiment.

FIG. 7 g is a plan view of a radiation attenuation pad according to anexemplary embodiment.

FIG. 7 h is a plan view of a radiation attenuation pad according to anexemplary embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a partial cross-sectional view of the CT machine of FIG. 1,taken along line 8-8 showing the housing according to one exemplaryembodiment.

FIG. 9 is a partial cross-sectional view of the CT machine of FIG. 1,taken along line 8-8 showing the housing according to another exemplaryembodiment.

FIG. 10 is a partial cross-sectional view of the CT machine of FIG. 1,taken along line 8-8 showing the housing according to another exemplaryembodiment.

FIG. 11 is a partial cross-sectional view of the CT machine of FIG. 1,taken along line 8-8 showing the housing according to another exemplaryembodiment.

FIG. 12 is a partial cross-sectional view of the CT machine of FIG. 1,taken along line 8-8 showing the housing according to another exemplaryembodiment.

FIG. 13 is a partial cross-sectional view of the CT machine of FIG. 1,taken along line 8-8 showing the housing according to another exemplaryembodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows a Computed Tomography (CT) machine 20 of the type commonlyused to create cross-sectional images the body of a patient 10. CTmachines are well known and widely used in the medical field.Accordingly, CT machine 20, as illustrated, is intended to berepresentative of all conventionally known CT machines and is notintended to be limited to the exact configuration shown.

CT machine 20 may be used for both CT scanning procedures and CTfluoroscopy procedures. As used herein, the use of the term “CT scanningprocedures” is intended to mean CT procedures conducted as part of anoninvasive examination during which a medical personnel 12 (e.g. aphysician, nurse, technician, and the like) administering or otherwiseinvolved with a CT procedure is likely to be outside of the area inwhich the CT procedure is conducted (i.e., the CT area). The term “CTfluoroscopy procedure”, as used herein, is intended to mean CTprocedures conducted as part of an invasive surgical procedure duringwhich the medical personnel 12 is likely to remain in the CT area andsubstantially near the CT machine during the CT procedure.

CT machine 20 includes a housing 22 having a front side 23 and a backside 315. Housing 22 encloses a support structure, commonly referred toas gantry 24, that is configured to support at least one x-ray emitter26 and at least one x-ray detector 28. Gantry 24 may support the x-rayemitter 26 and the x-ray detector 28 in a manner sufficient to allow forthe orbital rotation of x-ray emitter 26 and x-ray detector 28 aroundpatient 10. The gantry 24 defines an opening 30 in which at least aportion of patient 10 is inserted during the CT procedure. In its mostcommon form, opening 30 is a generally circular opening. Theillustration of opening 30 as a circular opening is not intended tolimit the applicability of the present invention to CT machines havingcircular openings. As can be appreciated, the present invention isequally applicable with alternative CT machines having openingsconfigured in any of a variety of shapes.

CT machine 20 further includes a patient table 38 configured to supportthe body of patient 10. Patient table 38 is generally positionedperpendicular to the front side 23 of housing 22 and may be movable inthe vertical and horizontal directions relative to opening 30 as well astransversely. As can be appreciated, for alternative CT machines,patient table 38 may remain stationary and housing 22 may move relativeto patient table 38.

To obtain an image, patient 10 is placed on patient table 38 and movedinto opening 30 wherein patient 10 is positioned between x-ray emitter26 and x-ray detector 28. A primary beam of x-ray radiation emanatingfrom x-ray emitter 26 passes through patient 10 before being captured byx-ray detector 28. The x-ray radiation beam emanating from x-ray emitter26 and passing through patient 10 is referred to herein as entranceradiation. During CT fluoroscopy procedures, wherein medical personnel12 is standing near patient 10 and CT machine 20, medical personnel 12may be inadvertently exposed to entrance radiation and radiation leakagefrom CT machine 20.

In addition to entrance radiation and radiation leakage, CT proceduresare likely to generate scatter radiation. Scatter radiation refers toradiation emanating from x-ray emitter 26 that reflects off of andthrough an object such as patient 10, CT machine 20, the floor in CTarea, etc. and scatters throughout the CT area. During a typical CTscanning procedure, the only person likely to be exposed to scatterradiation is patient 10. However, during CT fluoroscopy procedures, orany other CT scanning procedure in which medical personnel 12 remain inthe CT area, medical personnel 12 may also be exposed to scatterradiation. As explained above, exposure to radiation may create a healthrisk and should be reduced whenever practicably possible.

Referring to FIG. 2, a radiation attenuation system 100 configured tominimize radiation exposure during a CT procedure is shown. Radiationattenuation system 100 includes a first radiation attenuation system 200that is intended to assist in the protection of patient 10 fromunnecessary exposure to radiation during a CT procedure and a secondradiation attenuation system 300 that is intended to assist primarily inthe protection of medical personnel 12 from exposure to radiation duringa CT procedure. According to an exemplary embodiment, radiationattenuation system 100 may further include a third radiation attenuationsystem 400 that is intended to reduce radiation exposure to at least oneof a patient and the medial personnel during a CT procedure. Firstradiation attenuation system 200, second radiation system 300, and thirdradiation system 400 include at least one radiation barrier article forreducing radiation exposure. Depending on the CT procedure beingperformed, first radiation attenuation system 200, second radiationattenuation system 300, and third radiation system 400 may be used inany of a variety of combinations, or alternatively may be usedseparately as individual radiation attenuation systems.

During a CT procedure, patient 10 must be exposed to x-ray radiation(i.e. entrance radiation) in order for cross-sectional images of thepatient's body to be obtained. CT procedures are often focused on aspecific portion of the patient's body (i.e. the target area). While thetarget area must be exposed to entrance radiation, the surroundingportions of the patient's body (i.e. secondary areas) do not have to beexposed. Radiation attenuation system 200 is intended to minimize apatient's exposure to entrance radiation, radiation leakage and scatterradiation present during a CT procedure by shielding the secondaryareas.

Referring to FIG. 3, radiation attenuation system 200 includes aradiation attenuation wrap, shield, cloth, or garment 210. Garment 210may be useful in blocking or attenuating radiation, and assisting in theprotection of patient 10. Garment 210 may be made of any radiationattenuation material and preferably is made of a light-weight andflexible radiation attenuation material. Preferably garment 210 is madeof a radiation attenuation material that provides a relatively highdegree of comfort to the patient. Garment 210 may used to cover theportions of patient 10 during a CT procedure that are not going to beexamined.

Garment 210 preferably includes a body cover portion 212 and a headcover (e.g. hood, hat, helmet, etc.) portion 214. Body cover portion 212is not limited covering a patient's torso and may be configured toinclude leg cover portions, foot cover portions, arm cover portions, andhand cover portions. Preferably, garment 210 wraps around (e.g.underneath) patient 10 and does not simply drape over the top of patient10. Head cover portion 214 is intended to protect a patient's head fromradiation exposure, and may include portions covering a patient's face,forehead and neck. As can be appreciated, the configuration of garment210 may vary depending on the application and portion of the patient'sbody that is to be scanned. For example, it would be anticipated thatgarment 210 would be configured differently for scanning of the chest ascompared to the abdomen or an extremity. Garment 210 may be made inrange of sizes to fit adult or adolescent patients as well as infants.

Garment 210 may include a fenestration area 216 for providing access tothe target area (i.e. the portion of the patient's body to be scanned)through an aperture (shown as an rectangular strip 218). Fenestrationarea 216 further provides an opening for allowing medical personnel 12to access patient 10 for conducting various invasive procedures, such asthe fluoroscopic guidance and/or manipulation of instruments duringsurgical procedures. According to a preferred embodiment, fenestrationarea 216 may be selectively sealed or opened by coupling a fastener 220to garment 210 near fenestration area 216. According to a particularlypreferred embodiment, a hook and loop fastener is coupled to garment 210and allows fenestration area 216 to be selectively sealed or openeddepending on the CT procedure being conducted.

According to a particularly preferred embodiment, garment 210 isconfigured as a combination of a skirt, a vest, and a helmet. Such aconfiguration may be particularly suitable for procedures wherein thetarget area is the patient's abdomen or chest area. During a procedureof a patient's abdomen or chest, medical personnel can access the targetarea by moving a portion of the vest upwards to expose the desired area.However, the garment 210 is not limited to such a configuration, andsuch a garment could be used for procedures wherein the target area isnot the patient's abdomen or chest.

While garment 210 is shown as an attenuation system that may be usefulduring CT procedures to protect a patient from radiation exposure,garment 210 is equally applicable with any procedure that emits ionizingradiation such as, but not limited to, intraoperative use of radiationequipment and implanting radiation therapy devices into patients thatemit radiation.

As stated above, physicians, nurses, technicians, and other health careemployees (collectively referred to as medical personnel) present duringa CT procedure may be exposed radiation. Medical personnel present fornumerous CT procedures may be exposed to significant cumulativeradiation doses over time. Radiation attenuation system 300 is intendedto reduce radiation exposure to medical personnel 12 present in the CTarea during a CT procedure. Radiation attenuation system 300 may beparticularly applicable with CT fluoroscopy procedures wherein medicalpersonnel 12 is likely to be near the primary beam of x-ray radiationemanating from the CT machine or at least in an area susceptible tosecondary scattered radiation or radiation leakage.

Radiation attenuation system 300 includes at least one radiation barrierarticle coupled substantially near or to CT machine 20 configured toreduce radiation exposure to medical personnel 12. For purposes of thisdisclosure, the term “coupled” means the joining of two members directlyor indirectly to one another. Such joining may be stationary in natureor movable in nature. Such joining may be achieved with the two membersor the two members and any additional intermediate members beingintegrally formed as a single unitary body with one another or with thetwo members or the two members and any additional intermediate memberbeing attached to one another. Such joining may be permanent in natureor alternatively may be removable or releasable in nature.

Referring to FIG. 4, radiation attenuation system 300 may include afirst radiation panel, shield, or pad 320 that may be useful in blockingor attenuating radiation, and assisting in the protection of medicalpersonnel 12. Pad 320 is made of a radiation attenuation material and ispositioned between CT machine 20 and medical personnel 12. Pad 320 maybe coupled near or to the CT machine 20. Preferably, pad 320 issubstantially rectangular shape having an outer edge that includes a topedge 322 and an opposite bottom edge 324.

Pad 320 may be coupled near or to CT machine in any position that mayprotect medical personnel 12 and/or patient 10 from unintentionalradiation exposure. According to an exemplary embodiment, pad 320 iscoupled to the side of patient table 38. Pad 320 is coupled near the topsurface of patient table 38 and hangs, extends, or drapes over the sideof patient table 38 so that bottom edge 324 is near the floor of the CTarea. Depending on the size of pad 320 and patient table 38, multiplepads 320 may be coupled to patient table 38 in order to providesufficient protection for medical personnel 12. According to a secondexemplary embodiment, pad 320 is coupled to the front side 23 of CTmachine 20. Pad 320 is coupled near gantry 24 substantially tangentialto the bottom of opening 30 and extends downward so that bottom edge 324is near the floor. Bottom edge 324 may be weighted in order to urgebottom edge 324 in the direction of the floor and help maintain pad 320in a protective position. As can be appreciated, pad 320 is suitable foruse anywhere in the CT area so long as pad 320 is between CT machine 20and medical personnel 12.

According to a preferred embodiment, shown in FIG. 5, pad 320 is aflexible member sized to span across both the areas covered by the firstand second exemplary embodiments described above. For such anembodiment, pad 320 may be described as having two portions, a firstpanel 328 that is integrally formed with a second panel 330. First panel328 is coupled to the front side 23 of CT machine 20 near gantry 24 andsecond panel 330 is coupled to a side portion of patient table 38 thatis near opening 30. Pad 320 is positioned between CT machine 20 andmedical personnel 12. First panel 328 and second panel 330 conform tothe contour of CT machine 20 and are substantially perpendicular to eachother. As previously stated, bottom edge 324 may be weighted. Such aconfiguration is intended to reduce the amount of radiation exposureexperienced by medical personnel 12 while enabling medical personnel 12to remain substantially close to opening 30 and patient 10.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, to couple pad 320 to CT machine 20, pad 320may include a fastener 326. According to a preferred embodiment,fastener 26 allows for the detachable coupling of pad 320 to CT machine20. According to a particularly preferred embodiment, pad 320 includes ahook and loop fastener coupled to the outer edge of pad 320 for allowingthe detachable coupling of pad 320 to CT machine 20. As shown inFIGURES, fastener 26 is coupled to top edge 322. In alternativeembodiments, fastener 26 may be coupled anywhere along the outer edge ofpad 320, or anywhere else along pad 320. As can be appreciated, a numberof suitable fasteners may provide the detachable coupling of pad 320 toCT machine 20 in addition to hook and loop fasteners such as, snaps,grommets, adhesives, zippers, etc.

Preferably, pad 320 is coupled to CT machine 20 and patient table 38 onboth sides of patient table 38 as shown in FIG. 2. If pad 320 includes adetachable fastener 26, a single pad 320 can be utilized by selectivelypositioning pad 320 along CT machine 20 and patient table 38 to protectmedical personnel 12. As can be appreciated, pad 320 may be dimensionedand shaped in any of a variety of ways depending on the application. Forexample, pad 320 may be configured in any of a variety of shapes such asa pad having a curvilinear portion to more readily conform to a CTmachine.

Referring to FIG. 6, radiation attenuation system 300 may also include asecond radiation barrier article, shown as radiation curtain, shield, ordrape 340. Drape 340 may be useful in blocking or attenuating radiation,and assisting in the protection of medical personnel 12. Drape 340 isintended to be positioned between CT machine 20 and medical personnel12. Drape 340 is coupled near gantry 24 of CT machine 20 andsubstantially covers opening 30. Drape 340 may be made of anyattenuation material and is intended to reduce the amount of entranceradiation, radiation leakage and scatter radiation that medicalpersonnel 12 or patient 10 may be exposed to during a CT procedure. Inits most preferred form, drape 340 is a made of a flexible attenuationmaterial having an outer edge that includes a bottom edge 344 that hangsdownward from a top edge. Preferably, bottom edge 344 drapes aroundpatient 12 and conform to the patient's body and patient table 38.Similar to pad 320, drape 340 may include a fastener, such as a hook andloop fastener, along the outer edge and may further be weighted alongbottom edge 344 to maintain a desired position.

According to an exemplary embodiment, drape 340 is a solid shield ormember covering opening 30 (shown in FIG. 7 a). Configuring drape 340 asa solid member may be particularly useful during CT scanning proceduresduring which medical personnel 12 do not need access to the portion ofthe patient's body being scanned. Drape 340 may include a viewing panel(shown as a window 346 in FIG. 7 b) that is relatively clear ortranslucent for the viewing of patient 12 within CT machine 20. Window346 may be of a variety of shapes and sizes, which may be dictated atleast in part by the particular application.

To accommodate CT procedures during which it would be desirable formedical personnel 12 to access the portion of the patient's body beingscanned, drape 340 may include a fenestration area 342 for providingaccess to the portion of the patient that is within CT machine 20 duringthe CT procedure. Fenestration area 342 may be an aperture (shown as arectangular opening in FIG. 7 c) that allows medical personnel 12 toinsert medical instrumentation when conducting various invasiveprocedures, such as the fluoroscopic guidance and/or surgicalprocedures. According to a preferred embodiment, shown in FIG. 7 d,drape 340 may be configured as a plurality of flaps 348 which do notsubstantially restrict medical personnel 12 from accessing patient 10.According to an alternative exemplary embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7 e,drape 340 is a solid member having a slit or cut extending from thebottom edge in a substantially vertical direction to define flaps 348thereby providing access to patient 10. According to a particularlypreferred embodiment, drape 340 is a solid barrier having a plurality ofslits formed in a substantially vertical direction to define flaps 348(shown in FIG. 7 f). The use of flaps 348 in combination with drape 340is intended to reduce the radiation exposure experienced by medicalpersonnel 12 without substantially restricting access to patient 10.

As shown in FIGS. 7 a-7 f, drape 340 is a generally rectangular shieldthat is disposed across opening 30. As can be appreciated, drape 340 maybe dimensioned and shaped in any of a variety of ways depending on theCT machine and the application. For example, drape 340 may be configuredin any of a variety of shapes such as a shield having a curvilinearportion to more readily conform to a CT machine (shown in FIG. 7 g).Alternatively, drape 340 may be configured as having a circular shape(shown in FIG. 7 h).

According to a preferred embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, radiationattenuation system 300 includes the use of both pad 320 and drape 340 toassist in the protection of patient 10 and medical personnel 12. Thecombination of pad 320 and drape 340 may increase the level ofprotection relative to the use of any one of the articles alone. Theradiation barrier articles of radiation attenuation system 300 (i.e. pad320 and drape 340) may be selectively positionable to allow medicalpersonnel 12 to move an article out of the way if the article is notneeded.

FIGS. 8 through 13 illustrate an attenuation system 400 configured toattenuate radiation emanating through housing 22 of CT machine 20 duringa CT procedure. As detailed above, during a CT procedure, radiation isapplied to patient 10 by x-ray emitter 26 which is supported by gantry24. During the procedure, it is possible for a percentage of radiationbeing applied by x-ray emitter 26 to inadvertently pass through housing22 rather than being applied solely to patient 10. Accordingly,attenuation system 400 is intended to protect patient 10 and/or medicalpersonnel 12 from being undesirably exposed to radiation emanatingthrough housing 22 and into the CT area.

As can be appreciated, the characteristics of CT machine 20 and housing22 (e.g., shape, number of components, material, wall thickness, size,etc.) may vary depending on a number of factors including factorsrelating to the function of CT machine 20, materials used to build CTmachine 20, and/or the aesthetics of CT machine 20. It should be clearlyunderstood that attenuation system 400 is suitable for use with any CTmachine having a housing through which radiation (e.g., primary beam,scatter, etc.) may undesirably emanate from during a CT procedure.Attenuation system 400 can also be used with other types of radiationsystems, such as diagnostic x-ray equipment.

Housing 22 is shown as being a generally continuous member (e.g., panel,partition, support, etc.), but according other suitable embodiments, maybe configured as a plurality of members coupled together to definehousing 22. Housing 22 is defined by a substrate (e.g., body, etc.)having a first surface 23, shown as being an outer surface (e.g.,exposed surface, etc.), and a second surface 25, shown as being an innersurface (e.g., concealed surface, etc.).

Attenuation system 400 includes at least one radiation barrier (e.g.,member, panel, liner, etc.), shown as radiation shield 410. Radiationshield 410 may be provided as an inner, outer, or intermediate surfaceof housing 22. According to one exemplary embodiment (shown in FIG. 8),radiation shield 410 is shown as being supported adjacent to secondsurface 25 of housing 22. According to another exemplary embodiment,radiation shield 410 is shown as being supported adjacent to firstsurface 23 of housing 22 (shown in FIG. 9).

Radiation shield 410 may cover substantially all of second surface 25and/or first surface 23 of housing 22, or alternatively, may beselectively provided in areas where radiation is likely to emanatehousing 22 (e.g., near gantry 24, etc.), as shown in FIGS. 11 through13. The addition of radiation shield 410 to CT machine 20 reduces theamount of radiation emanating through housing 22 during a CT procedure.Reducing the amount of radiation emanating through housing 22 isintended to reduce the radiation exposure of patient 10 and/or medicalpersonnel 12 present during the CT procedure.

Radiation shield 410 may be supported relative to housing 22 in avariety of configurations. For example, radiation shield 410 may becoupled (directly or indirectly) to housing 22. The coupling ofradiation shield 410 to housing 22 may be accomplished using a varietyof suitable techniques including, but not limited to, adhesives,mechanical fasteners (e.g., clips, snaps, hook and loop fasteners, etc.)any suitable welding process (e.g., ultrasonic welding, etc.), painting,embedding, spraying, etc. Any of the just mentioned coupling techniquesmay be used alone or in combination to couple radiation shield 410 tohousing 22. According to other suitable embodiments, radiation shield410 may not be coupled to housing 22, but instead may be supported by asupplemental member (e.g., a structural component of CT machine 20, aportion of gantry 24, etc.) and/or provided as a filler between x-rayemitter 26 and housing 22.

FIG. 10 shows attenuation system 400 according to another suitableembodiment. In such an embodiment, housing 22 includes multiple layersand radiation shield 410 is disposed (e.g., sandwiched, etc.) between(e.g., intermediate, etc.) the layers. According to another embodiment,radiation shield 410 is integrally formed with housing 22. For example,housing 22 may be formed using a molding process in which the materialused to form housing 22 is provided around radiation shield 410.Radiation shield 410 may be provided as a sheet-like member oralternatively may be provided as relatively small particles that isdispersed within the material used to form housing 22.

Each of the barrier articles of radiation attenuation system 100,including shield 410, described above may be made of any radiationattenuation material including, but not limited to, bismuth, barium,lead, tungsten, antimony, copper, tin, aluminum, iron, iodine, cadmium,mercury, silver, nickel, zinc, thallium, tantalum, tellurium, anduranium. Anyone of the aforementioned attenuation materials alone or ina combination of two or more of the attenuation materials may providethe desired attenuation. According to various exemplary embodiments, thearticles of radiation attenuation system 100 can be made of theattenuation material disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,674,087, 4,938,233,or 6,310,355 which are hereby incorporated by reference. However, thearticles of radiation attenuation system 100 are not limited to suchembodiments and may be made of any radiation attenuation material.

The degree of radiation transmission attenuation factor by the radiationattenuation material may be varied depending upon the specificapplication. According to an exemplary embodiment, the radiationattenuation material will have a radiation transmission attenuationfactor of a percent (%) greater than about 50%, suitably greater thanabout 90%, suitably greater than about 95% of a 90 kVp beam.

Preferably, the radiation attenuation material is generally light andflexible, to maximize workability for processing, bending, folding,rolling, shipping, etc. The material may be formable (e.g. deformable)or compliant, and relatively “stretchable” (e.g. elastic). According toalternative embodiments, the material used may be generally rigid andinflexible, and/or substantially weighted.

According to a preferred embodiment, the articles of radiationattenuation system 100 are generally disposable in whole or in part,thereby minimizing ancillary sources of contamination that may arisefrom multiple uses. According to another suitable embodiment, thearticles of radiation attenuation system 100 are generally non-toxic,recyclable, and/or biodegradable. According to an alternativeembodiment, the articles of radiation attenuation system may be reusable(e.g. for attenuation of radiation from atomic/nuclear disaster, cleanup, rescue operations, etc.). According to a preferred embodiment, thearticles of radiation attenuation system may be sterilized between usesto minimize the likelihood of bacteriological or virus contamination.Sterilization may be performed in any convenient manner, including gassterilization and irradiation sterilization.

The construction and arrangement of the articles of the radiationattenuation system as shown in the preferred and other exemplaryembodiments is illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments of thepresent inventions have been described in detail in this disclosure,those skilled in the art who review this disclosure will readilyappreciate that many modifications are possible (e.g. variations insizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the variouselements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials,colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novelteachings and advantages of the subject matter recited in the claims.For example, shield 410 may be configured in a variety of ways (e.g.depending on geometric requirements of housing 22.) depending on theapplication. Further, shield 410 may be configured as screens orcurtains that are coupled within CT machine 20.

Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included withinthe scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims.The order or sequence of any process or method steps may be varied orre-sequenced according to alternative embodiments. In the claims, anymeans-plus-function clause is intended to cover the structures describedherein as performing the recited function and not only structuralequivalents but also equivalent structures. Other substitutions,modifications, changes and omissions may be made in the design,operating conditions and arrangement of the preferred and otherexemplary embodiments without departing from the spirit of the presentinventions as expressed in the appended claims.

1. A system for the attenuation of radiation during a ComputedTomography procedure using a Computed Tomography machine having a gantrydefining an opening configured to receive a patient table, the systemcomprising: a shield made of a flexible radiation attenuation material,the flexible radiation attenuation material being sized to substantiallycover the entire opening of the gantry; and an interface for supportingthe shield in front of the opening of the gantry, the interface beingpart of the shield and comprising at least one of a hook and loopfastener, a snap, an adhesive, a grommet, or a zipper.
 2. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the shield is a one-piece member extending continuouslybetween a first portion configured to receive the interface and a secondportion configured to drape over a patient undergoing the ComputedTomography procedure.
 3. The system of claim 2, wherein the firstportion of the shield remains substantially stationary as a patiententers the opening defined by the gantry.
 4. The system of claim 3,wherein the second portion of the shield is configured to be engaged bythe patient entering the opening.
 5. The system of claim 1, wherein theflexible radiation attenuation material is a solid member.
 6. The systemof claim 1, wherein the flexible radiation attenuation material has aleast one slit extending from a bottom edge in a substantially verticaldirection that forms a flap in the shield.
 7. The system of claim 1,wherein the flexible radiation attenuation material defines an aperture.8. The system of claim 7, wherein the aperture is covered by arelatively clear viewing panel.
 9. The system of claim 1, wherein theradiation attenuation material is substantially non-lead.
 10. The systemof claim 1, wherein the shield is configured to be coupled to theComputed Tomography machine.
 11. The system of claim 10, wherein theinterface facilitates the coupling of the shield to the ComputedTomography machine.
 12. The system of claim 10, wherein the shield isconfigured to be directly coupled to the Computed Tomography machine.13. A system for the attenuation of radiation during a ComputedTomography procedure using a Computed Tomography machine having a gantrydefining an opening configured to receive a patient table, the systemcomprising: a shield made of a flexible radiation attenuation material,the flexible radiation attenuation material being sized to substantiallycover the entire opening of the gantry; and an interface for supportingthe shield in front of the opening of the gantry, the interface allowingthe shield to be directly coupled to the Computed Tomography machine,wherein the shield is configured to be selectively added to and removedfrom in front of the opening of the gantry of the Computed Tomographymachine depending on the Computed Tomography procedure.
 14. The systemof claim 13, wherein the interface is part of the shield.
 15. A methodof attenuating radiation during a Computed Tomography procedurepreformed by a Computed Tomography machine having a gantry defining anopening, the method comprising: selectively supporting a flexibleradiation attenuation material at least partially in front of theopening defined by the gantry to substantially cover the entire openingof the gantry; and selectively adding and removing the flexibleradiation attenuation material to and from in front of the openingdepending on the Computed Tomography procedure.
 16. The method of claim15, wherein the step of supporting the radiation attenuation material atleast partially in front of the opening defined by the gantry involvescoupling the flexible radiation attenuation material directly to theComputed Tomography machine.
 17. The method of claim 15, wherein thestep of supporting the radiation attenuation material at least partiallyin front of the opening defined by the gantry involves using aninterface received by an upper portion of the radiation attenuationmaterial.
 18. A Computed Tomography machine comprising: a gantrydefining an opening through which a patient table is at least partiallyinserted during a Computed Tomography procedure; a housing enclosing thegantry without substantially covering the opening and remaining fixedrelative thereto, the housing being at least partially defined by afront panel that is formed of a substrate and a radiation attenuationmaterial, the radiation attenuation material is in the form of aflexible sheet and is fixed relative to the substrate, wherein theradiation attenuation material attenuates radiation that would otherwisepass through the front panel during the Computed Tomography procedure.19. The Computed Tomography machine of claim 18, wherein the radiationattenuation material is integrally formed with the substrate.
 20. TheComputed Tomography machine of claim 18, wherein the radiationattenuation material is supported adjacent to the substrate.
 21. TheComputed Tomography machine of claim 18, wherein the front panel atleast partially defines the opening through which the patient table isat least partially inserted.